Silane coupling agents.

Tire manufacturers are said to have been looking for an easy, efficient, lower cost way to produce tire tread compounds filled with silica instead of carbon black. NXT LowV silane and NXT Ultra-LowV silane coupling agents are said to help decrease ethanol emissions by up to 90% compared to polysulfide silanes. Tire tread compounds filled with silica are said to help reduce automobile fuel consumption by up to 5%, and improve traction and handling, but silica tire tread has been difficult to manufacture, according to the company. The use of traditional polysulfide silanes as the chemical coupling agents (for coupling silica to rubber) in silica tread compounds is said to complicate and prolong mixing, and generates ethanol throughout the production and life of the tire. The end result is said to be higher cost for processing and for abatement of volatile organic compounds. The NXT LowV and NXT Ultra-LowV silane coupling agents are said to help give tire manufacturers the ability to produce a better tire. Silica is not miscible in rubber, making its dispersion more difficult than carbon black, according to the company. To keep the silica stationary within the compound, it must be chemically coupled to the rubber. Traditionally, polysulfide silanes have been used as coupling agents. But they are said to have a narrow processing window and sensitivity to high heat, which can cause premature vulcanization during mixing, and must be carefully mixed and cooled in a multi-step process at lower temperatures. LowV silanes are said to make a significant improvement in the manufacture and cost of silica tires.

GE Advanced Materials

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